The Stretford End stood and applauded in song. "Super Danny Welbeck," they carolled as Manchester United's No 19 was substituted in the 53rd minute of his side's 3-1 win Saturday against West Ham United.
Welbeck has a sore knee and headed straight to the tunnel for treatment. As he did, the fans rose again.
Supporters are predisposed to adore the local boy done good, the United fan who pretended to be a United player on the terraced inner-city streets as a kid, then became a real one.
His progress has not been without growing pains, but the 23 year old, starting in the absence of the injured Robin van Persie, could feel satisfied with yesterday’s contribution of a first-half goal and an assist.
The travelling West Ham fans chided, “You’re nothing special, we lose every week”, but Welbeck’s contribution was uncommon, indeed. It also ended a rare prolific week for the striker labelled profligate far too often for his own liking.
There are many positives in Welbeck’s game: his pace, energy, bravery, work rate, unselfish application, decision-making and attitude made him a player good enough for United, though doubts persist about his effectiveness in front of the goal.
Was he, the fans wondered, good enough to lead the line against the best teams in the world? Did he have the killer instinct for the top level?
Strikers are judged on goals and Welbeck netted twice in all competitions last season, nowhere near good enough, even with the mitigation of being played out of position or absence through injury.
He was the non-scoring goalscorer who fans wanted to do well. At last, he is.
Yesterday’s strike was his third in a week. It was also his first goal at Old Trafford in 14 months. His other five goals this season have come away from home.
Welbeck maintains that nothing has changed, that he is training as normal.
His manager, David Moyes, said this week that he had asked Welbeck to copy Wayne Rooney’s example of practising finishing after the normal training session had ended.
The signs are encouraging for Welbeck, as they were in his breakthrough season of 2011/12, when giant billboards featuring his likeness and a homely “Danny” moniker appeared around his home city. He had scored against City in a Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium and a winner at Arsenal in a key league game.
He appeared on the cusp of stardom, yet a lack of subsequent goals meant the doubters continue to mutter. He needed to step up in the absence of Van Persie – and he is obliging.
Welbeck’s interplay and flashy back-heel with Rooney led to United’s first goal, and his exchange with Adnan Januzaj led to United’s second. The 18-year-old Januzaj, repaid the honour with a 48th-minute cross, which was just beyond the reach of Welbeck.
Five minutes later, Welbeck was both substituted and serenaded.
“Danny showed great combination play with Wayne for the first goal,” Moyes said. “It was good for him to get a goal.
“We want him to be a goalscorer here as well as a great player.”
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